Chapter 4 – The Steel Witch
Part 1
He could hear a dull and heavy striking sound from afar.
Then the sensation of rope coiling around the body and the cold texture of stone.
His consciousness was receding for a moment??then it was surfacing along with the passing of time.
"U, uu……"
The place was dim??no, there was almost no light in his field of vision. Lux opened his eyes amidst the darkness.
He noticed that it was because of the blindfold covering his eyes, but he could barely peek at his surrounding from the slightest opening at the top and bottom of the blindfold.
The room was illuminated by sunlight that shined in from the skylight that was covered with grid pattern.
Lux and Celis were imprisoned inside that old room that was made from stone.
Both of them got their eyes blindfolded with their four limbs tightly bound by rope.
It wasn’t like he was completely unable to move, but this was quite the predicament.
"Celis-senpai, are you alright!?"
"……I’m alright. More importantly, how about you Lux?"
They first confirmed each other’s safety after recovering their consciousness.
Perhaps because they were both in an emergency situation, they were able to talk naturally like before this.
His body felt painful and numb due to the after wave of the Cannon shockwave that showered them, but at worst it only felt like he was just got lightly punched. There was nothing wrong with his bones.
Celis also told him that she wasn’t injured or bleeding.
For now, it seemed they were at least safe.
"But, where could this be? It doesn’t seem like……we are outside the Academy."
When they focused their hearing, it was faint??really faint, but the bustling sound of the campus festival could be heard from afar.
Then, Celis whose eyes were still blindfolded thought for a bit and muttered.
"It’s only my guess……but, I think we might be inside the old underground prison within the Academy’s ground."
Celis muttered that with a calm tone despite her perplexity.
"If I remember rightly, this Academy was a military installation in the era of old empire, so naturally it should also have a lot of underground prison. Although the majority of it seemed to be demolished when this place was turned into academy."
"So this is a remain of the jail where I was placed when I was first caught here……"
Lux muttered with a conflicted expression.
The remains of the underground prison that was demolished and its entrance blocked.
That possibility was high based from the old smell his nose caught.
But, if that was the case the options of the person who put Lux and Celis in here were limited.
"Is the enemy……, a staff of the Academy?"
"I don’t know but, there is another possibility. The spy of Heiburg who was once hiding amidst us, Syvalles??Saniya. In the note that she left behind, it was written that she also discovered the existence of this jail and its blueprint when she was investigating the location of the crystal called Grand Force."
"Then, could it be??"
An information that was known by Saniya, a spy who was spying on new kingdom.
If she reported that information to her superior, than it could be imagined how this was the work of Heiburg Republic that knew about the existence of this underground prison.
If this was thought as their sabotage, which was done at the end of the campus festival, a few hours before the skill exhibition battle started, then the line could be very easily connected.
"In order to obtain a win without fighting……. Is this the act of Heiburg’s Seven Dragon Paladins, Rosa Granhide?"
"She is a possible suspect. We aren’t lethally wounded and our Sword Device aren’t taken away are because doing that could cause this to be traced to her, so we are left alone like this, but??"
Right now it was nothing but a speculation. For now their priority was to escape from here.
When he looked up to the ceiling from the gap of the blindfold, the distance is quite far.
They tried to call for help several times, but there wasn’t any sign that it would reach anyone’s ear from this place where there wasn’t any human sign.
"But, why did Celis-senpai at that kind of place? Besides, it looked like you were somewhat distracted?"
When Lux asked the thing that bothered him, he received an unexpected answer.
"……Wade-sensei was there. My teacher who should be died because of some words from me, your grandfather, he was……. But, he vanished the moment I reached out my hand. Was that just an illusion that my weak heart showed me?"
Celis muttered sadly.
Indeed, Lux also felt like he was seeing a man’s silhouette at that time, but he wasn’t certain.
That was why he didn’t say anything right now and said only definite thing.
"The moment Celis-senpai’s attention was distracted, an EX Drake was aiming at you. Furthermore, I remembered the face of the pilot who seemed to come and go from the Academy yesterday??that’s all that I’ve confirmed clearly. More importantly, we’ve got to get out from here now and head to the skill exhibition battle."
"You’re, right. There is no time to feel down."
The matter of her seeing the illusion of her teacher Wade.
And then, the matter of receiving an attack from someone who made use of that opening which caused the two of them to get captured. Celis was disappointed of herself and worried due to those matters, but she pulled herself together.
Lux let out a sigh of relieve, it was then??,
"By the way Lux. Are you able to move even slightly?"
Celis asked with a serious tone.
"Err……, yes. I cannot untie the rope, but if it’s just a bit??"
Inside the cramped prison, there was the figure of Celis with her hands tied behind her right in front of him. Their distance was less than a few cl. (TN: This cl seem to be the equivalent of centimeter here I think)
Until now Lux didn’t notice because of nervousness, but somehow the way she was tied was strange.
More specifically, other than her hands were tied behind her and her eyes were blindfolded, her body was also tied.
For some reason, the rope was tied at below and above those conspicuously pointing out voluptuous breasts.
Perhaps it was only that way because that was the easiest way to tie her body, but even if it was only a coincidence, Celis’s huge breasts became emphasized due to that into a very risqué shape.
When Lux was peeking at such sight from the slight gap of his blindfold, Celis suddenly leaned her body forward and took a pose that pushed out her breasts toward Lux.
"A, about that. The rope around my torso is connected to the rope tying my hands behind, so can I ask you to pull at it a little? If the restrain on my hand can be loosened slightly, perhaps I will be able to pull out my Sword Device……"
If her hand could reach the handle of her Sword Device, she would be able to cut the rope and summon Drag-Ride to escape from the prison.
Lux understood such intention of Celis, but??,
"E, err, but I too have my hands tied, only my mouth can move……"
Lux said in fluster while reminding Celis casually.
"Ye, yes……. That’s why I’m, asking you. Tha, that……it it’s Lux, I won’t mind so??"
"-……!?"
But, unexpectedly a reply of ‘OK’ came back and Lux’s face turned red.
Lux would use his mouth to pull at the rope that was tied above and below Celis’s breasts, in other words??, there was a possibility his face would touch those jiggling pointing out breasts.
He got the feeling as though he would do some kind of thing that he absolutely mustn’t done, but was this really okay?
But, there weren’t many things they could do in this situation where their body couldn’t be moved.
Lux took a deep breath and he finally resolved himself.
"U, understood. E, excuse me??!"
Lux raised his spirit, he leaned forward his upper body with his eyes still blindfolded, and his face moved toward the area around the breast of Celis who was similarly tied up.
The gap at Lux’s blindfold was slight. He couldn’t ascertain his target clearly.
Furthermore the nearer he got, the more his field of vision was stolen by the largeness of the breasts. He became unable to see anything.
And so, at the end he resolutely bit at the two ropes that held the breasts from above and below.
(??Yosh!)
His nose tip and cheek came into contact with a soft sensation, but he boldly bit at the cord and strongly pulled.
"Lu, Lux-……!? Tha, that place is-!?"
It seemed Celis was agitated, her body was shaking from discomfort.
‘This is bad’, Lux was flustered.
The nice smell of a faint perfume aroma and the sweet sensation of the smooth skin.
He wanted to stay there forever. He wanted to taste it even deeper. Such impulses were welling up inside him.
Judging that he wouldn’t be able to back off at this rate, Lux aimed to settle this within a short term and he pushed his face daringly.
"Ah……!?"
*Snap-* The sound of something snapping came out. Lux’s face was pulled away.
(I did it. ??Looks like the cord on the chest came off.)
Lux was relieved inside his heart and he took a breath.
At the same time, perhaps because he was drawing back his head vigorously, the black blindfold covering his eyes slipped even further and the inside of the jail that was still shined by sunlight became clear to see??but,
"??Wait, eeeeh!?"
The moment Lux saw that sight, he opened his mouth in astonishment.
The rope tying Celis’s chest wasn’t snapped. A warm and smooth fabric made a rustling sound and fell from Lux’s mouth.
(The, then just now I, what I pulled out from Celis-senpai’s chest was??)
He would understand even without thinking deeply if he looked.
The rope that was tied on position above and below Celis’s breasts.
Right in the middle between the ropes??, in the valley of the breasts, there was the connecting part of her bra. Lux bit on it and pulled it with his all.
Perhaps the hook on her back was off when she was brought here. When Lux pulled the bra from the front, it seemed the hook lost and the bra was taken away.
As the result, the fight just now ended with only the bra torn off from the breasts of the tied Celis.
"I, I’m sorry Celis-senpai! It shouldn’t be like thi??!?"
His failure and the result that was caused from it caused Lux to start apologizing in panic.
"I, I’m fine. You cannot see due to the blindfold, so it cannot be helped. Mo, more importantly, if it’s now you won’t make mistake again, so one more time??"
On the other hand, Celis was speaking dignifiedly even while her cheeks were reddening in shame.
"……Eh, but??"
Lux was bewildered and hesitating.
Certainly it was just as Celis said, there was no more worry that he would fail, but Celis’s appearance had become more that lewd enough already.
Her uniform was opened, exposing her breasts. The voluptuous breast that had already absorbed male’s attention even at normal time was now emphasized from the rope’s tight binding.
Furthermore because Lux had pulled out her bra, even the tips of the breasts were almost visible.
The proud and beautiful Celis was being restrained by straw rope, with her blushing face looking down in shame.
And then the bulges of raw soft breasts that were emphasized by the rope were jiggling tantalizingly before his eyes.
With this, it would be stranger if his reasoning didn’t melt in front of such sight.
In addition, he was told to use his mouth once again to pull at the rope.
In other words after this, his face would be buried between Celis’s breasts that weren’t covered by bra??.
"He, hesitation is, not permitted……you know"
When Lux was hesitating, Celis muttered that while leaking out a nervous and also seductive breath.
"It became like this because of my carelessness, and we have to quickly get out from here. So……"
Celis muttered so with her words at the end turning ambiguous.
(??I wonder why. It feels like Celis-senpai is cuter than usual……)
Perhaps such thought for a senior was impolite, but that was what Lux thought.
He didn’t understand the reason why he was avoided, but at the very least right now she was trusting him. Then??,
"I, I’m sorry. Celis-senpai, please endure just for a bit!"
Lux resolved himself and he leaned his body forward to Celis’s breasts once more.
Even still, as expected it was beautiful and enchanting.
Lux endured the jiggling temptation before his eyes while opening his mouth to bite at the rope, it was then??,
–
"Lux-kun, Celis-san! Are you two all ri??!?"
*ZAGUN-!* The sound of hard stone being cut apart could be heard, and the underground prison shook.
"??!?"
The bodies of the two stiffened from surprise. At that timing, a Drag-Knight slashed the ceiling above and came down.
It was a young boy with androgynous appearance and braided hair.
Perhaps he was working in the booth too today, he was wearing butler outfit under the EX Wyvern. He landed down in front of Lux and Celis.
"Coral!? Why are you??"
"I heard from the Triads that they are looking for Lux-kun. Both of you, are you injured?"
Coral who went down on the floor of the underground prison asked that with a serious gaze.
But, the next moment after he stared closely at the appearance of Lux and Celis, his cheeks boiled red in a flash.
"??Eeeee, wha-wha-wha-wha-what are you two doing-!? No, no matter what, doing that in this kind of time, while being tied……that’s"
The cute young boy averted his face. Seeing that, Lux and Celis got flustered together.
"Yo, you are misunderstanding Sir Coral! This is that, it’s something that can’t be helped in order to escape from here!"
"Tha, that’s right! It’s not like I and Celis-senpai did anything to feel guilty about??"
"…………"
Coral stared fixedly at Lux and Celis with doubtful gaze, even so Coral swung his Sword Device and quickly cut the rope.
Celis wore her bra and fixed her clothes’ disarray, after that she and Lux pulled out their respective Sword Device and checked the blade.
"Ho, however it’s strange. It seems that our swords aren’t tampered at all."
"Me too, both of my swords are fine."
In the first place, Sword Device that was made from a special metal called Mythrildite boasted hardness that no normal blacksmith tool could process it, even so it was possible to destroy it using Drag-Ride’s strength.
In that case, was it valid to think that the Sword Devices of the Divine Drag-Rides weren’t destroyed because it would be a waste?
The enemy bore the risk of attacking Lux and Celis within the Academy’s ground while not going as far as stealing in order to avoid the risk of having the deed traced back to them.
This meant, it wasn’t the deed of the Dragon Marauder, as expected??was it the deed of someone public?
While Lux was thinking of such things,
"There is no injury or pain on you two? If you two can fight then let’s go quickly! It already passed the time of the start of the skill exhibition battle!"
Coral suddenly spoke in hurry and showed the two of them his pocket watch.
Loss by default due to abssence??. A dark despair flashed in their mind for a moment, but it still wasn’t a certain thing.
"Let’s go Lux. I can fight."
Lux also nodded at Celis’s resolute voice.
They hurriedly fixed their appearance and rushed toward the practice ground.
–
Part 2
The Drag-Ride practice ground inside the Academy’s site.
It seemed that at the early half of the campus festival yesterday, this place was used to hold a simple show of Drag-Ride practice where normal visitor could enter, but right now there was no one here except Seven Dragon Paladins, the delegation of Lords, and the leaders’ representatives.
So to speak, normal visitors and students who weren’t Syvalles were forbidden to visit that place.
Four Drag-Knights were facing each other on the circular ground that was the stage of the battle.
The Seven Dragon Paladin of Heiburg Republic, Rosa, and her aide Calensia.
From the new kingdom was similarly a Seven Dragon Paladin, Lux, and his aide Celistia.
"You two are really late aren’t you? Originally I could also criticize that disrespectful attitude and obtain victory by default though, right?"
First Rosa provoked with slimy attitude and obscenely mocking smile.
But, Calensia who was following behind Rosa was composed all that time. She quietly pushed up the glasses that was her trait to fix its position.
"But by doing that, we won’t be able to fulfill the request of Listelka-sama, an imperial family of the Lords who wish to be shown our strength. In deference to that??"
"I’ll have you two accept a condition that is just slightly advantageous for us okay? This is a two versus two battle. The side that has even one of the pair unable to fight first will become the loss of the pair. And then in case the time limit ran out, it won’t be a draw but a victory of us, the representatives of Heiburg??can you two accept that I wondeeer?"
Those were the special conditions prepared to compensate for Lux and Celis’s lateness.
If thinking about the possibility that they could also lose by default, it was undoubtedly something to be thankful for if it was only a condition of time limit.
Though??that was only if it wasn’t Rosa herself who set up the trap for Lux and Celis.
"Then??can we start this now? The sun will set before long after all."
The imperial princess of the Lords, Listelka prompted the fight to begin. Then the four touched their sword belt together.
And then, they slowly unsheathed their Sword Device.
"??Come, the winged dragon of crest, the symbol of power. Obey my sword and soar, Wyvern."
"??Descent. The dragon of royalty who inherit the blood of ruler. Be clad in a hundred lightning and dance in heaven, Lindwurm."
The switch on the handle was pushed and the passcode was chanted, immediately after that??particles of light condensed and formed shape.
Lux used Wyvern following the advance arrangements they had decided beforehand.
He wished to avoid using Bahamut in front of a lot of people at new kingdom where there was rumor of the Black Hero, but in this situation, and in front of the limited audiences here, using Bahamut was an available option.
In this battle for the sake of repelling danger from the new kingdom, he also had to resolve himself to use it.
But, to use the Quick Shot by applying the Divine Raiment of Bahamut, Reload on Fire, there was the necessity to see through the opponent’s attack preliminary movement before activating it.
In order to use it to the maximum effect, as expected it was better to first devote himself at defense.
For that he made the judgment to use Wyvern that had low consumption rate and the Scale Blade that Lisha made, and fougt mainly using the counterattack of Critical Hit.
On the other hand, the representative of Heiburg, Calensia was summoning EX Wyrm.
And then at the end, Rosa Granhided pulled out her Sword Device that was engraved with ominous pattern.
"??The soot of wicked artifice, deceive lurking underneath. O repentance dragon of previous existence, Gorynych."
The air of the whole venue was strained from the Divine Drag-Ride’s summoning.
A squall whirled behind Rosa, and an odd Drag-Ride with growing blades appeared there.
"So this is the rumored, the Steel Witch’s??"
Beside Lux, Celis raised a slightly astonished voice.
Lustrous dark grey color, the armor of steel color that was a mix of black and ash color. The dreary color scheme reminded anyone watching of the original color Mythrildite that was the material of Drag-Ride.
But, there were sharp thorns jutting out from various parts, furthermore the thick armor of land battle type Drag-Ride that was embodiment of sturdiness was displaying its aggressive dignity.
"??Connect – On"
Rosa grinned fearlessly and next she quickly equipped the unfolded armor.
(……It’s huge.)
The Drag-Ride was already huge when it was summoned, but when it was worn by the pilot’s body, its volume increased further.
The huge Drag-Ride was a size bigger than the normal land battle type Drag-RideWyrm . A single attack that it unleashed might become a fatal wound in the worst case.
Lux and Celis instantly made that judgment while similarly connecting and wearing their Drag-Ride. They formed the strategy against Rosa inside their head.
"The time limit is ten minutes. If one fighter becomes unable to fight, it will become a defeat for the pair. In case the time ran out, it will become the victory of Heiburg Republic. Other than those special conditions, this battle will be held under the common rule of mock battle. Any objection?"
After Instructor Raigree who acted as the referee informed them that, each of the four fighters nodded.
Celis and Rosa glared at each other with sparks scattering between them. The signal of the battle start was declared then.
–
"??Battle, Start!"
–
At the same time with the signal, the four Drag-Knights quickly moved.
First Lux’s Wyvern and Celis’s Lindwurm flew backward as though they had arranged it beforehand. The two Drag-Knights of Heiburg drove their Drag-Knight using the wheels to close the distance.
Lux and Celis’s situational judgment had reached about the same level.
In the situation where they faced Drag-Knight who used land battle type Drag-Ride, the first thing to do was to make use of flying type’s special characteristic and grasped the air superiority.
There was also the risk of attacked from below, but because the opponent’s could be restricted to shooting and bombardment, it was obviously advantageous to take position above the opponent.
That was the ironclad rule for flying type Drag-Ride like Wyvern and the like when fighting Drag-Knight using land battle type.
The opponent charging ahead at the start of battle to prevent them from moving to the sky was also as expected in a sense.
Therefore Rosa and Calensia simultaneously aimed and fired at their opponent’s by the book action.
"??Fuh!"
"Haah!"
Rosa brandished a sickle shaped weapon with a long handle??, a ScytheDragon Horn Curved Blade and attacked Lindwurm, while Calensia aimed at Lux using medium sized Blade.
Those two took such first move after predicting that Lux and Celis would first took some distance away and flew to the sky.
"??!?"
But in a moment a strange discomfort flashed through at the back of Rosa and Calensia’s mind.
Lux and Celis who pretended to escape to the sky stopped flying midway and hovered still at midair.
They conversely aimed at the first attack of Rosa and Celnsia. The two were already finished preparing a sure kill attack.
*PAKIiI-!*
Along with the high-pitched metallic sound, fragments of weapon and armor fluttered in the air.
The Scale Blade that Lux’s Wyvern wielded smashed the Blade of Calensia’s EX Wyrm, while Celis’s Lindwurm unleashed a thrust using its special armament Lightning Lance, which pierced Gorynych’s barrier and moved toward the shoulder where its Force Core was installed.
"This is the end. ??Lightning Flash."
*BASHIiII-!*
In a flash, the electric attack surging from the lance’s tip attacked Rosa’s Gorynych.
"Kuuh……!?"
Rosa’s expression distorted. At that moment, the girl beside her was shocked.
"This is, a weapon for the sake of destroying weapon!? The first move of flying backward following the established tactic, it was……a trap!?"
At the other side, Calensia was staring at the Blade’s fragment that was smashed by Lux’s Critical Hit and she let out an astonished voice.
The counter of Critical Hit using Scale Blade wouldn’t work without first seeing through the opponent’s attack.
But, just now both sides were each taking option that would normally be the best for the situation.
If it was just a priority movement without any particular scheme it, it would be easy to predict it.
Lux and Celis chose the option of sure kill offense and defense by predicting the opponent’s action two moves ahead without discussing with each other beforehand, and then they made it success splendidly.
–
Part 3
"Nii-san is reckless as usual??"
The skill exhibition battle of Heiburg versus new kingdom, where the right to investigate Ruin was being fought.
Airi was watching the intense beginning while letting out a relieved sigh.
Airi and the Triads split up to search Lux who was suddenly gone before this. They were also specially permitted to watch the battle, so right now they were sitting on the audience seats that were mostly empty.
"Really. To try to settle the fight suddenly like that. Well, certainly, even if they escaped to the sky, it will be a loss when the time’s up, so it can’t be helped though."
After Tillfur replied like that, Noct also nodded quietly.
"Yes. But, they won the gamble. I don’t know what is the power of Rosa Granhide’s Gorynych, but in any case, she is caught with this."
The thrust of electricity by Lightning Lance of Celis’s Lindwurm??the Lightning Flash possessed special characteristic to temporarily seal the movement of enemy’s Drag-Ride.
Calensia only got her Blade destroyed, but Rosa would almost certainly get defeated with one more attack.
Thus, the battle had been decided with the victory went to the new kingdom in reality.
"Aaa. I was worried, but somehow with this??"
When Sharis was about to conclude like that, the nearby Lisha who was also watching like them muttered with a tense expression.
"No. That Drag-Ride, something is strange!?"
At the same time with her sentence, the battle situation that should be clearly in their favor moved.
"Be careful Celis! That thing is fake!"
What could be seen at the same time with Lisha’s yell was the figure of Celis along with the golden armor she equipped??Lindwurm getting mowed down altogether by a Scythe.
–
Part 4
"This is??!?"
It was a sight that would make one doubted their own eyes. Lux’s focus was taken away for a moment by that happening which surpassed the imagination.
Right after the offense and defense that should have decided the victory for them just as they predicted??, for some reason it was Celis herself who got hit by a sure kill attack.
The Scythe’s blade that was tinged with shining purple energy was digging into Lindwurm’s torso.
But, the Lance that was slightly tilted came in between, which exempted Celis from direct hit.
"How fuun. To be able to defend against this attack in this timing??just what kind of reaction speed that is? Are you really a human I wonder?"
Rosa who was grinning smugly put even more strength and forcefully swung her Scythe to the end.
The heavy weight land battle type with its feet firmly planted on the ground, and the light weight flying type that was floating midair.
The difference in power when the two clashed directly was clearly shown in this situation.
"Kuh!? My attack should have landed for sure……. Why is a counterattack??!?"
Terrific amount of energy surged from the Scythe’s blade, and it increased in momentum to cut apart Lindwurm’s barrier.
The armor’s destruction??a killing intent that was aiming for more than mere injury caused Lux’s expression to pale.
"Celis-senpai!"
Lux immediately tried to assist by brandishing his Scale Blade toward Rosa.
But, Calensia immediately discarded her half destroyed Blade and obstructed him.
"It’s vexing to be ignored like that. ??That’s your blunder."
At the same time the EX Wyrm quickly switched weapon.
The land battle type Drag-Ride that had its heavyweight class as its selling point was loaded with a lot of armaments. Because of that it possessed a lot of variety.
Next when she aimed the Breath Gun in her hand toward Lux, territory of light spread in the surrounding.
"Divine Gate."
Celis brushed away the Scythe slightly and activated Lindwurm’s Divine Raiment, the ability of high speed teleportation.
Celis instantly appeared right beside Rosa and sharply thrust her lance toward Rosa’s flank.
*DOGAA-!* That attack oerced the Drag-Ride’s barrier and crushed the shoulder armor.
At the same time, the Scale Blade that Lux swung in the pretension of helping Celis blocked the muzzle of Calensia’s Breath Gun.
"The second attack is also a trap??!? How can!?"
But Calensia who had reflexively pulled the trigger couldn’t stop, causing the Breath Gun to explode.
The EX Wyrm got hit by the backlash of its second weapon getting destructed and it was pushed back.
Celis too, although she had received an inexplicable counterattack, but with this she was able to bring down Rosa with certainty??that was how it should be. But,
"You aren’t half bad. ??Just slightly than what I think thouugh."
The Drag-Ride of the sarcastically grinning Rosa was completely destroyed along with the pilot’s body.
"Wha-……!?"
The Lindwurm of Celis who was taken by surprise received a sharp impact on the back and got struck down.
The Gorynych of Rosa that should be at the front was slashing its Scythe from the back before Celis knew it.
"Illusion!? No, I certainly felt feedback??!?"
Sparks were fiercely scattered from Celis’s armor while she was muttering in astonishment.
It seemed that her back wings, the flight device was done in. She couldn’t fly anymore.
"Calen. You aim at this one who is near dead. Weeell, the punishment for you is decided already though by the time you got done in by such brat twice. What’s going to happen if we lose because of your fault??. If it’s the clever you, don’t you get it already riight? It won’t be just your parents, even your little sis will be turned into slave you know?"
"……uu-"
The expression Calensia who was glared by Rosa turned pale. Her shoulders were shaking fiercely.
It seemed the dark side of Heiburg, the inhumanity of Rosa wasn’t just a mere rumor.
Her poisonous fang wasn’t bared to just the army and citizens it seemed, it even reached her own partner.
(……This is bad! At this rate we won’t win??not just that, Celis-senpai is in danger!)
Lindwurm that already received a serious damage couldn’t fight satisfactorily anymore.
At the same time, Rosa Granhide’s true strength and also the Divine Raiment of Gorynych were still unknown.
If he wanted to prevent any injury to the minimum, perhaps it would be better to surrender here.
However, of all things if they lost here against Heiburg that was hostile to the new kingdom, the Ruin within the new kingdom’s territory would be ransacked for a month and the area around it would receive considerable damage.
"……Fuh."
At that time a chuckle that seemed like it had seen through Lux’s complication came from the audience seats far away.
It was a distance where something like a muttering voice couldn’t possibly be heard.
But, Lux felt like he had certainly heard it.
The face of his elder brother Fugil who was sneering.
That laughing voice which sounded like it was scorning his choice and the end of that road caused his emotion to erupt.
"Some nerve you’ve got there??. No, is it a lure perhaps? You don’t have any tome to leisurely look at other way you knoow"
Rosa who was showing a wicked smile drew near to Lux while brandishing her Scythe.
At that instant, Lux resolved himself and instantly dispelled his own armor.
"Howling Howl! And then ??Break Purge."
It was a basic skill to shoot out the energy that was gathered in the head part in a surge. But, just that wasn’t enough to contain the charge of Gorynych that was a land battle type Divine Drag-Ride.
Therefore Lux used one more technique, the Break Purge to shoot out his armor as buckshot to cover the enemy’s field of vision.
It was a basic operation skill to purge off a part of Drag-Ride’s armament and armor and reduced the burden to oneself.
But, the barrier’s strength and the mobility were also shaved off at the same time, so it was almost never get used in the middle of combat.
Lux daringly use it was for the sake of taking the enemy by surprise and stopping her movement.
And then, at the same time it was also a preparatory step to use the next Drag-Ride.
"Releasing off the armor completely!? This is……"
"Lux!? That Drag-Ride is??!?"
Celis leaked out an astonished voice, but Lux didn’t stop.
The other Sword Device??the second one was pulled out from the black sheath and he quickly muttered the Passcode.
"??Manifest, violent dragon devouring the flesh and blood of the gods. Sever the sky of black clouds, Bahamut!"
Right after he yelled, a large type Drag-Ride shining jet black was summoned before his eyes. It covered Lux’s body and turned into armor.
The people in the audience seats who witnessed that spontaneously leaked out astonished sighs.
"??Oo"
"So that’s, the Divine Drag-Ride of new kingdom’s Seven Dragon Paladins."
There was no common student or visitor in this place.
The people watching the fight were only Syvalles’s members and Relie, also the other members of Seven Dragon Paladins and the four leaders’ representatives.
Even so, Lux didn’t want to show his own combat strength openly, but there was no more room for hesitating.
He still wasn’t able to perfectly predict the opponent’s attack preliminary movement, but even so he could only do this.
"……Remaining times, three minutes."
The voice of Instructor Raigree who served as the referee resounded at the surrounding.
Celis who received damage shouldn’t have much time remaining where she could equip her Drag-Ride.
Lux faced the Gorynych that possessed large dark grey frame and flew Bahamut forward.
"So that’s the rumored Bahamut? I have heard of it from Saniya."
Right after she muttered so, Rosa snapped her fingers with a clear sound.
Instantly, with a force that was like a bullet, Calensia who should be taking on Celis as an opponent aimed at Lux with a slash using her second Blade.
Trickery??deception and trap, and overwhelming strength. This was a witch who freely used all of those.
Her instruction that told Calensia to face Celis was a groundwork to make a sneak attack toward Lux.
But, the Blade of the EX Wyrm that was aiming at Bahamut’s armored arm instead got severed along with its armored hand. The severed part rotated in the air.
Quick Draw??the super fast attack that was unleashed from aligned operation of body control and mental control dealt the counterattack splendidly.
"No way-……!?"
Calensia opened both her eyes widely, then right after that Lux quickly struck a return attack at her.
Slashed from above the barrier, Calensia’s EX Wyrm was blown away.
"Hee? You use a strange technique there. It’s not that Bahamut’s Divine Raiment. Is that perhaps a technique of Drag-Ride operation just like Singlen I wondeer?"
Rosa threw that comment with deep interest.
She was thinking to aim at opening the moment Lux attacked her in this timing, but unexpectedly Lux didn’t come attacking.
"You are more able than I thought……. But you’re really naïve. Even though this fight will be over if you attack Calen more and make her unable to fight, and yeet"
"…………"
Rosa pointed out something painful, but Lux didn’t let it show on his expression.
In case this battle ended in defeat for Heiburg because of Calensia as the cause, she would receive terrible chastisement from Rosa, and her family would receive persecution. It was a fact that such thought crossed Lux’s mind for a moment.
But, the Steel Witch saw through even that hesitation of Lux. It caused Lux to hold a strong vigilance against her.
Until now there had been several Drag-Knights who Lux thought as formidable, but this girl’s 'malice' possessed strength of different quality from those opponents.
Not only she didn’t balk to sacrifice her own comrade, she also had the shrewdness to form strategy that influenced her opponent.
He understood it keenly, of her inhuman strength.
"Feeling concerned about the position of a woman from another country that you will even harm the interest of your own countr??I love such person who has their head filled with flower field like that you know?"
Rosa licked her lips and caressed her breast with her fingertip while grinning mockingly.
"Actually my partner Calen??, among the nobles she was born from lowly family, but she is a lovely child who overturn status using talent and hard work seee. But, she is an embarrassment for Heiburg, getting pitied by someone of another country like this. That’s why……, let’s see. I’ll have this girl’s remaining family to receive punishment too. I’ll present her mother and little sister to be the plaything of the soldiers."
"??!?"
Rosa made a cruel and inhumane declaration.
The moment Calensia looked dumbfounded from surprise, a sound burst from Rosa’s back.
"Break Purge??and then, Divine Gate."
The moment Celis saw an opening, she released a part of her armor and moved.
A swift attack in godspeed that the eye couldn’t even follow.
Celis lightened her burden by purging parts of the armor that were damaged, at the same time she concentrated her energy into one point to launch a lance attack.
It was a form of suicide attack that Celis was learning by applying basic technique.
It was a superb sure-kill skill that put the user’s life at risk. Such attack was attacking Rosa’s back.
At the same time Lux also flew his Bahamut and slashed in order to support Celis.
If he launched a slash using Quick Draw a t this distance and this timing, even Rosa wouldn’t be able to dodge.
Those judgment and prediction hit the mark without any miss. Gorynych was pierced from the back, at the same time it was also slashed diagonally from the front??.
The armor along with the flesh body wearing it were bisected into two.
"……Wha-!?"
Lux and Celis were dumbfounded seeing that sight. Right at that moment, that flesh body dispersed.
It wasn’t illusion, but a clone with physical substance.
Right after Lux noticed that, an intense impact and heat wave were fired from the side of the two who was right near each other as though to strike them hard.
"Sin Phantom – Rapid Fire ModeFlash Shadow of Deceit – All-Out Bombardment Form ."
*DOOOOohN-!*
The air exploded in succession. The ground was smashed and hot wind whirled.
The yell of Lisha and others could be heard from afar inside the inferno where it felt like their consciousness was getting farther.
"Lux??!?"
"Hah! Even though I shot at perfect timing??it’s only your running away that is fast isn’t iit?"
After Rosa laughed mockingly, the dust cleared up and a figure came into view.
It was the figure of Lux’s Bahamut, protecting Celis who only had slightly remaining armor within its arms.
Lux and also Celis could still fight even though it was only just barely.
But, in Celis’s condition that almost couldn’t move anymore, there would be a risk of serious injury or even death if they kept fighting.
"Lux, don’t worry about me! That’s why??!"
"I’m sorry, Celis-senpai."
Lux shook his head slightly toward Celis’s insistence.
And then the time passed, and the result of this skill exhibition battle was decided.
"??The time is up. This match……is a draw!"
Instructor Raigree’s voice came, at the same time the bell sound that informed the end of the battle rang.
A draw in reality had the same meaning as victory for Heiburg Republic.
And then the fight that began from this quarrel closed its curtain.
–
Part 5
"-……!? What’s with that Drag-Ride……! Its shape is completely different from just now??"
The huge figure of Gorynych that appeared from the dust cloud caused Airi to hold her breath on the audience seat.
Then, Magialca who was sitting beside her smiled with a convinced expression.
"??I see, that Divine Drag-Ride, it appears its form is transformed into Drag-Ride of various shapes depending on its own special armaments."
"To be more accurate, it’s from the combination of its Divine Raiment and special armament thouugh."
From the other side of the whirling inferno, Rosa who was clad in Gorynych that was equipped with ten-odd cannon muzzles faced toward Magialca and informed her the answer.
"The special armaments Twelve ViceTwelve Iron Cage ??its ability to operate several unmanned general-purpose Drag-Ride, and Sin Phantom??creating mechanical illusion of a fake me that I overlapped on the unmanned Drag-Rides, this combination produced pseudo clones of me."
Rosa faced the audience seat and explained her own skill.
"Rearranging and transforming armors that are treated as special armaments. At the same time it also produce my own clones??this is the power of Divine Raiment that my Gorynych possess, the true shape of Tartaros FramePurgatory Mechanism ."
"I see, that’s why you are the Steel Witch. Certainly it’s interesting, but it’s really lavish of you to expose everything here."
Singlen who was similarly sitting on the audience seat at the opposite side spoke with a fearless smile.
But, Rosa looked like she wasn’t perturbed at all. She was only showing a crooked smile.
"I don’t really caree. After all those Lords know about it anyway. Besides even if the trick of my Divine Raiment is exposed, it’s still not something that anyone can do anything about. More importantly, are you fine with this, tyrant-sama? The Ruin investigation right is taken by me you knoow? If I also conquered even Babel after this, perhaaps even all of you will be below me in the achievement obtained."
"……!?"
The surrounding was stirred in agitation after hearing what Rosa said.
The haughty and arrogant man called the Blue Tyrant, who was a powerful person that stood out even among the Seven Dragon Paladins. The leaders’ representatives held their breath seeing Rosa provoking such man.
"Ro, Rosa-dono!? Please stop with the joke??"
As expected, even a senior statesman of Heiburg, Gunius was also agitated. He tried to remonstrate Rosa in panic.
But, in comparison Singlen only sent Rosa a dark gaze that was like a bottomless swamp without any change. He stood up with unshakeable smile.
"You churl, don’t push your luck."
The one who said that wasn’t Singlen himself, but the tall and lean old soldier standing behind him, Zweigbergk.
Bloodshot eyes peeked out from the helmet’s gap, and his hand was touching his Sword Device.
"I’ll gratefully accept your loyalty??but, stop it Zwei. As the vice captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, I have the responsibility to watch over their growth."
Singlen stopped him with one hand. Seeing that, Roza’s lips distorted repulsively.
"Myy? What a splendid thing to say despite being a coward who wouldn’t come forward to participate in the skill exhibition battle after getting cold feet. An incompetent superior whose style is to exert all his effort in making excuse??it’s great how easy it is to understand you."
"Ple, please stop with the reckless remarks Lady Rosa! Si, Sir Singlen, please forgive her, it still hasn’t been long since she return to the military??"
Minister Gunius tried to smooth over the situation in great panic, but Singlen wasn’t perturbed in the slightest.
Perhaps seeing that the situation was going out of control, the captain Magialca cut in.
"It’s not like what she is saying is wrong so just leave it alone. More importantly, the fight is finally settled. It’s also necessary to treat the injury, so let’s breakup for the moment. I too am tired from the long journey. Can you allow me to rest soon, Relie?"
‘Fuaa……’, she cutely yawned. Magialca made a forced yawn like a fawning cat and concluded the happening like that.
"Yes, I guess. You were playing wholeheartedly at the campus festival before this though."
"Oh, was that so? Recently I kept forgetting things??wait, who are you calling old!?"
"…………"
Right after that conversation that wasn’t reading the mood, the leader of the Lords who wished for this skill exhibition battle, Listelka stood up.
"Please calm down the two of you. We are compatriots. Let’s refrain from pointless quarrel among ourselves."
It wasn’t clear whether Rosa consented with those words, but she dispelled her armor and Zweigbergk also sat down.
And then the Steel Witch withdrew to outside the practice ground with leisurely footsteps.
"I’m sorry, Lux. Because of my fault??"
"No, I’m glad that Celis-senpai is safe."
Celis looked down. In respond Lux replied with a gentle smile, but the fact was that during one month from here, Heiburg would be monopolizing the conquering effort of Babel.
The damage from Abyss due to the after effect of that investigation as well as the defense that would be needed in case Ragnarok went outside would always exist as threat toward the new kingdom during that time.
Regarding this case, there was also a possibility that Lux and Celis would be asked to take responsibility in some kind of manner, but it was no use even if they thought about it here.
When Lux who was thinking that averted his gaze, he saw on Celis’s upper arm a faint bruise remaining there.
Because Celis was wearing a white coat on her pilot suit until right before the match, Lux didn’t notice it until now.
"??E, excuse me-!"
Celis who got that bruise seen ran away in a flustered state from that place. Then the Lords, everyone of Seven Dragon Paladins, and the leaders’ representatives also left the audience seats.
"…………"
Lux wished to think that his judgment to protect Celis instead of taking the option to attack at the end wasn’t mistaken.
It would be too dangerous to make a gamble and attack Rosa in that situation.
Conversely if he attacked the weak Calensia mercilessly and defeated her, then perhaps they would be able to obtain victory through that.
Even if because of that Calensia and her family would meet a tragic fate from Rosa, perhaps he shouldn’t go as far as pitying even the military officer of other country.
However??.
'That righteousness that is unable to sacrifice even a single relative, unable to discard anything. Your ephemeral ideal that is trying to save even the evil, I’ll root for it from the bottom of my heart.'
That smile of Fugil that was containing pity and disappointment was constricting Lux’s heart tightly.
In the end, he hadn’t change at all since that time.
Wasn’t he only clinging on his own ideal while running through the wrong path?
Even after living for five years doing chores, in the end wasn’t he still unable to understand people’s feeling?
"I……, I, just what am I??"
"Are you all right, Nii-san!?"
Airi, along with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, and the Triads were rushing toward Lux.
"Yes, sorry to make all of you worry."
But Lux was aware that currently he was making a forced smile that didn’t come from his heart.
That was just like the childhood him in the era of old empire.
It was a glossing over smile that he showed at that time when he was living by hiding his true feeling.
The skill exhibition battle silently closed the curtain without the festival visitors and other students getting told about the result.
After receiving the minimum treatment at the medical office, Lux returned to the campus festival as though nothing had happened. And then the sun sunk down.
–
Part 6
At seven o’clock in the evening??after dinner, the night of the middle of autumn.
At that time when the darkness was starting to deepen, a girl’s silhouette was facing the headmaster office.
"Excuse me."
The person knocked and informed her presence. Then when she entered, there was Relie sitting down with a smile.
"My? Thank you for your hard work today. There will be a holiday used for the tidying up, so it’s still fine not to be that rushed you know?"
"You are the same like always, headmaster."
Celis smiled wryly at Relie’s jesting tone.
Thinking back, she who was straight-laced at the root sometimes would also think 'this person is playing around' about Relie. But right now she was thankful with her affable attitude.
"I believe headmaster know about my intention. I wish to take responsibility for the result this time by resigning from the position of an aide of Seven Dragon Paladins."
When Celis said that with a dejected air, Relie let out a breath and smiled bitterly.
"The youngsters these days are overly serious aren’t there? Even someone like me is staying unashamedly as headmaster after committing a mistake that great. What you did was for the sake of helping the new kingdom itself, it was something that someone had to do. Besides at times a match is a matter of luck. In fact the two of you obtained a draw??"
"I got captured by someone because I had my focus distracted by unnecessary thing. If not for that, we wouldn’t be forced to fight under those disadvantageous conditions. As expected, the cause of our defeat was because of my immature heart. That is my conclusion."
"Regarding that suspicious 'enemy', that matter too is still being investigated even now. It won’t be too late to make your decision after the result come out."
Relie ran her pen smoothly on her paperwork while speaking dispassionately.
But, Celis took a deep breath, then she presented the letter that had her notice of resignation from being the aide written inside in front of Relie.
"I’m grateful for your consideration. But??the current me have no more confidence to continue being Lux’s aide."
Because when she was at Lux’s side, her heart wouldn’t be able to calm down for some reason.
She saw the phantom of Wade while she still didn’t understand the cause of it, and then her opening at that moment was taken advantage of.
She couldn’t continue being Lux’s aide while her condition was still like this.
"……I understand. Then I will hold on to this letter."
"Please. Then??"
After saying that briefly, Celis turned around and headed toward the courtyard.
She basked in the night’s wind in order to sort her feeling.
–
Part 7
Around the same time. Inside the Academy’s ground, in front of the fourth Drag-Ride hangar.
Perhaps it was an attack that could be noticed.
The Academy was designated as the place for the summit, so a lot of reinforcement from the surrounding area was deployed to Cross Field.
The whole area round ht Academy was constantly watched by the Drake’s detector, the security for the important people staying in the government office building at first block was also flawless.
Furthermore, all the members of Seven Dragon Paladins, the Drag-Knights who were positioned at the top of their respective country were assembled.
The possibility of Cross Field getting attacked in this situation was exceedingly low.
The likes of bandits or average Abyss would get the table turned on them if they came, even the Dragon Marauder wouldn’t dare to attack.
The soldiers in that place couldn’t assert that they didn’t have such conceit and that they didn’t let their guard down.
But, even so the defending soldiers??the male Drag-Knights who belonged to the new kingdom military weren’t negligent in carrying out security like they were told.
If there was something that they could be blamed about, there was only one thing.
It was how they didn’t consider even at the slightest of the possibility that a threat that surpassed the extent of their assumption would visit.
In other words, the main troops of Dragon Marauder tonight easily surpassed their naïve assumption.
At the sky far above the Academy where the detector of new kingdom military’s Drake couldn’t reach.
That man was hovering while leading a force of Wyverns.
"??What irony. The gathering of elites where each one of them is a mighty warrior, turn into a foolish bunch when they are assembled together. Thanks to that the chance of a counterattack also came to us."
Tanned swarthy skin peeked out from under the pilot suit.
The person’s muscular large body and toned appearance would give masculine impression to anyone who saw him.
One of Dragon Marauder’s three bosses, the Heavenly Dragon division commander Gatouhan was looking down to the Academy at night.
No, his aim wasn’t the Academy itself.
The Drag-Ride hangar inside the Academy ground was reflected on those eyes that were heavily filled with strong will.
The two arms and back of the large type Divine Drag-Ride the man was wearing had countless bizarre 'eggs' on them.
The eggs’ shell was blue and half-transparent. They were two sizes bigger than human’s head.
The eggs’ inside was strangely wriggling. His subordinates behind him were also carrying eggs to the limit.
"Hmm. But, that’s not all right? Of course there is also these guys being careless, but this will be still impossible without the guidance of the 'collaborator'. I think that kind of conceit isn’t good you know, Gatouhan?"
A youth who was still young was holding on the leg of Gatouhan’s Drag-Ride. His cherubic face looked up to Gatouhan and told him that.
"You are an uncute guy as usual. ??But, I’ll be troubled if you aren’t like that when you are chosen to be the Earth Dragon Division Commander, as a skilled Drag-Knight who equaled me and Drakkhen."
It was a praise toward his comrade that was slightly roundabout, but the youth in question was curt.
"Stop with the flattery and let’s start. The guards below aren’t just scarecrow, we don’t know when we might get noticed. The moon will be hidden by the cloud soon. We will act at that moment. I’ll be responsible for the diversion."
"Got it. We will go as planned??let’s go! Vine!"
The large man Gatouhan gave the signal. At the same time, the 'eggs' were dropped from the Wyvern force midair.
The eggs impacted the rooftop of the Drag-Ride hangar. The shells broke one after another and the inside spilled out.
–
Part 8
"And done. Well, this should be enough. For now there is no doubt that it can at least move."
On the other hand, inside the Drag-Ride atelier where the brief tidying up of the display items had been finished.
Lisha who was wearing white robe let out a large sigh and stretched her back.
"Forgive me for making you work right after the festival, Lisha-sama."
Lux said that in appreciation of the trouble that the princess he served went through while brewing the tea that he received from the dining hall.
After taking a sip of the tea, Lisha tapped Lux’s shoulder with frankness.
"Well, it can’t be helped. Those mechanic fellows will also return at this time. At this period of time we will want to avoid you all being unable to use your Drag-Rides because they haven’t been repaired."
The fourth Drag-Ride hangar that was inside the Academy ground was closed, and the outside was strictly guarded by soldiers.
Most of the Divine Drag-Rides of the Seven Dragon Paladins who were assembled this time were put inside that important section where even the students were forbidden to enter.
Lisha had moved Lux’s Bahamut and Celis’s Lindwurm from the fourth Drag-Ride hangar into an atelier outside to repair them.
Though the two Divine Drag-Rides were in a state that couldn’t be summoned right away because the system tuning still hadn’t been done to them.
"Ho, however I’m feeling somewhat tired. That, at this kind of time, it will help if I can receive a massage……"
Lisha stole a glance at Lux while saying that with expectation.
"Ah, yes. If LIsha-sama is fine with me??"
When Lux reflexively responded like that, Lisha secretly clenched her fist and muttered "Yosh".
(It’s a bit embarrassing but, so, sometimes I have to be at least this bold. Besides??I’m also a bit interested of it.)
Lisha took off her robe leaving only her uniform. She then laid down face first on a nearby sofa. Lux started massaging her mainly on her shoulders, neck, and around her back.
"Nn, ku……. You’re skilled as expected. That, it feels really good."
"Thank you very much. As I thought, Lisha-sama’s muscles are quite stiff."
Seeing Lisha responding with a pleased look, Lix too replied happily.
LIsha had heard that the relationship of man and woman could also be deepened by touching each other’s body. She was satisfied that it seemed it wasn’t mistaken.
From Lisha’s standpoint, her competitive heart was blazing after she heard how recently Krulcifer was approaching Lux strongly but, ‘Perhaps this is overdoing it a bit?’ she felt embarrassed after this late.
Having her body massaged by an opposite sex who was in her mind??no, by a man who she was self-aware that she liked him felt unexpectedly pleasant. She was relaxing more than she thought.
(I, it also feel just slightly indecent though. But, just this much should be fine shouldn’t it? I’m not lying that I’m tired, besides Lux, he is also my knight??)
Inside her heart was pounding fast while thinking of such thing. It was then Lux was also harboring a bewildered feeling.
Lisha had a small build and slender, but she was a girl who was hiding strong zeal inside.
As though to substantiate that impression of Lux, the springy skin that he was massaging was warm and pushing back on his fingers with pleasant elasticity.
Her breasts that were large for her small build were pressed on the sofa. Their existences were asserted through her back.
Her white thighs were well-fleshed, coupled with the constriction of her waist, a smooth line until her butts was highlighted, her skirt was lifted riskily, it even felt like her underwear would become visible.
Lisha herself was completely oblivious, but this accidental ignorant state of hers tickled Lux’s emotion.
(Wait, just what am I thinking at this kind of time……!? Even though I have to do something quickly about Celis-senpai??)
Lux was reflecting on his worldly thoughts while shaking himself free from them. Then he continued the massage thoroughly.
But, when his hand descended until around her waist, Lisha twitched and her body turned stiff.
"E, err, should I finish this here? Soon it will be only the waist left??"
"I, it’s not really a problem to continue further right? That, it’s just a massage anyway……"
Lisha was talking with such pricklish tone. Even Lux understood that she was a bit embarrassed.
If he massaged her waist, his hand might touch until her butt from there.
(Calm down me! Even though I’m her exclusive knight, how can I have a dirty thought about Lisha-sama! At this kind of time, think about a different situation and maintain calm??)
Lux was shaken, but he immediately worked his brain to repress himself.
Then, he suddenly recalled a similar situation. He imagined it to distract himself from this situation.
"Come to think of it, I was once in a situation similar like this with Celis-senpai too. At that time it was worse though……"
"By, by worse you mean??"
"Yes. Previously when I massaged her like this that time, senpai was naked??wait, I was mistaken! It’s nothing-!?"
"……-!?"
The moment Lux spontaneously regretted the slip of his tongue, Lisha was instantly petrified.
And then she lifted up her body in a flash and turned around with dark aura drifting out from her.
"??Just what have you done in a place that I don’t know!? This, damned pervert!"
Lisha became teary eyed and brandished her Sword Device that was still sheathed inside the scabbard.
After that Lux needed fifteen minutes to talk about the past and matter soothed down Lisha.
–
Part 9
About that time??in front of the Drag-Ride hangar.
The black colored viscous liquid that was mixing into darkness??Chaff Slimes were dropped on the rooftop and began to cover the whole building with its mucus.
Earth Dragon division commander Vine who jumped down toward the Academy ground active his land battle type Divine Drag-Ride.
"Wha??!? Who the hell are you-!?"
"Dragon Marauder huh, then??gugah!?"
Vine wordlessly attacked the guard Drag-Knights who were bewildered seeing the sudden intruder.
Although, he wasn’t launching lethal attack, but lightly hindering the soldiers using Wire Tails.
"We came here to receive a certain thing. You will allow us to search it."
After telling that with a curt expression, he skated his Drag-Ride on the ground and left from there.
It would be troubling if he showed his strength too much and the Seven Dragon Paladins got called, so he moved only to attract attention.
"The enemy is only one! Cut off the escape path and surround him!"
The soldiers of new kingdom military yelled that. Satisfied of that fact, Vine ran around in a circle at that area for a while.
Vine was devoting himself to evasion. Then ten seconds later, the Wyvern force of Dragon Marauder also descended.
"Hahahah! As expected from nobles, even their elites are nothing much!"
The vigorous and energetic men of Dragon Marauder readied their respective weapon and attacked.
"……Reinforcement!? Then we are going to come at them with our whole army too! All hands, draw your sword!"
The captain of the guard soldiers raised his voice loudly, then the soldiers who still came running drew out their Sword Device simultaneously.
But, even after they muttered the Passcode, their Drag-Ride didn’t appear in front of them.
"??!? What’s the meaning of this, why can’t we summon Drag-Ride!?"
"Hah! Bunch of fools-! Die helplessly like that!"
The soldiers were shaken. In contrast the Dragon Marauder force fired their Breath Gun.
At the shadow of the Drag-Ride hangar where the beacon of the battle starting was raised, there was Airi who was present there by chance. She felt a shudder rising through her body.
"This black Abyss……, it’s the Chaff Slime that Nii-san mentioned……!?"
The new type Abyss that obstructed the Drag-Ride’s control signal, at the same time it would entwine around Drag-Ride and hindered the movement.
Most likely a large amount of this Abyss was dropped on the rooftop of Drag-Ride hangar and then they covered the surface.
It didn’t matter even if the powerful Drag-Rides were safe, if they couldn’t be summoned then they wouldn’t serve any purpose.
The Divine Drag-Rides of Seven Dragon Paladins that were temporarily deployed to here also couldn’t be moved.
This was bad. Airi who instantly discerned the danger tried to run away, it was then that thing appeared.
"You are??!?"
The Drag-Knights of Dragon Marauder and new kingdom military who started fighting each other.
During that time, a beautiful girl wearing pure white dress was standing.
Her smooth and silky silver hair that reached until her shoulder and her blue eyes that were like jewel.
That out of place existence that suddenly appeared out of nowhere didn’t move at the slightest even though it was in a battlefield where light bullets and blades roared. It was only smiling.
"……Huh!? Who are you!?"
"This place is dangerous! Get away right??"
That standing figure that wasn’t running away or even looking scared agitated the men of both sides.
At that time, the girl’s mouth opened wide, and a terrible shriek surged out.
"??IIIIIIIIIIiIIiiIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAaAH!"
"……GUAAH!?"
The shriek that shook the atmosphere hit hard the eardrums of anyone who heard it.
(This crying voice, it’s??horn flute!?)
The moment Airi thought of that at the corner of her head, the roar that was resounding for a few seconds stopped.
But, at the same time the tune of the horn flute remained behind like an echo. It was began to get emitted from the body of that girl.
It was as though her very body itself was a cicada shaking its body to play the tune. That human shaped devil was continuing to emit the demonic reverberation that called the Abyss.
"Wha, what is this girl!? She isn’t human!?"
"Eei, doesn’t matter. If she is getting in our way then kill her!"
The new kingdom military and Dragon Marauder each raised their voice fearfully.
"You? What are you??"
Airi reflexively questioned the girl from her hiding.
The moment the girl in dress grinned fearlessly, Airi suddenly recalled a story that she once heard and she shuddered.
"Conflict, killing intent, malice are confirmed. Annihilating the area from here on, bringing salvation."
The girl’s eyes were tinged with mysterious glint at the same time with that mutter.
Furthermore tentacles with sharp end grew from her whole body and they undulated like whip.
"This is??!?"
Airi was horrified by that repulsive transformation.
The reverberation that resembled the tone color of horn flute was emitted without any sign of stopping. That sound was gradually increasing in loudness.
"It’s calling Abyss? Even though it has the form of human, how??!?"
"Watch out-!"
A tentacle was lashed toward Airi. It was then someone flew from the side and carried her off.
Airi was surprised by the impact. Right after that, she saw the face of the girl who rescued her.
"Celis??senpai?"
"Please be careful Airi. That thing isn’t normal."
Celis informed Airi so with a tense face.
She withdrew her rapier shaped Sword Device and faced the mystery girl with vigilance??but, her expression was instantly clouded.
"What’s the matter Celis? Did you see something bad, my proud disciple?"
"Wade, sensei……"
The figure of the unknown existence transformed into the shape of her teacher in the past.
Right after tentacles grew out once more from its whole body and they scattered everywhere to the surrounding.
–
Part 10
"……Good grief. Just when I thought that you became quiet recently, but your perverted mind hasn’t actually changed at all."
Lisha somehow settled down after Lux explained that the incident with Celis was because he got caught into a trap.
But, in the end the atmosphere wasn’t suitable to continue the massage anymore and the two switched to talking with each other.
When the talk shifted from the incident into the matter of Celis, Lisha abruptly started the talk.
"??And, you’ve been making a depressed face since some time ago, was it because of Celis?"
"Eh……?"
Lux’s thinking froze for a moment because Lisha suddenly hit the bull’s eye.
After that battle where he and Celis got a draw against Rosa and her aide, he shouldn’t be making a gloomy face, but??.
"Lux, don’t underestimate me too much okay? Even I have been lying for a long time. When I look at mirror, I can at least understand what kind of smile I made at that time. And also the bitterness that made me have to smile like that even by forcing it."
"Lisha, sama……"
After Lisha who was once taken hostage by the old empire got abandoned by her father Count Atismata, she was rescued??and placed as the princess of the new kingdom as the daughter of the proud great man.
Even while thinking that she didn’t have the qualification, she had to act the role for that position no matter what.
That was why, she couldn’t bear to look at Lux who was forcefully making a smile and she told him that.
"Besides it’s not like you. If it’s the usual you, you will go to console Celis even if you have to be forceful right? Personally I don’t mind if you don’t do anything like that but……, why are you hesitating only at this time?"
Lux smiled bitterly at Lisha who said that looking somewhat irritated.
"I became unable to understand myself, whether doing that will be the right thing to do or not."
And then, he slowly spoke out his feeling.
"Since that time five years ago, I caused a lot of people at the old empire’s side to die and became chore prince, I’ve been puzzled all this time. Why did my elder brother Fugil betrayed me, or else, was he tricking me right from the start and only using me?"
He met Lisha at such time and he was given a new place to belong and purpose.
He chose the path of being Seven Dragon Paladins in order to fight for the sake of people who believed in him, this time for sure.
But,
"And yet, when I met again with Nii-san……with Fugil at the summit, my feeling wavered. Perhaps in the end I’m still the same like in the past. Perhaps in the end I don’t understand a single thing about people’s feeling. When I thought that……, I who was unable to help Celis-senpai just now, became unable to understand, how should I talk to her??"
"…………"
Lux expressed his distress slowly. Lisha observed him for a while silently, and then she suddenly moved her hand.
*Slap* Her palm lightly patted Lux’s cheek without the slightest strength in it.
"Aa……"
It didn’t feel painful at all, but it felt like he was awakened.
Lisha’s face didn’t look angry, she also didn’t look sad, and she also didn’t look disdainful.
She was merely staring at Lux straightforwardly, with the face as a noble princess filled with self-confidence and pride.
"It looks like you have forgotten so I’ll tell you this??, I’m weak you know?"
"??Eh?"
Lux felt perplexed getting told that with a tone that was full of confidence.
"As a Drag-Knight, those stronger than me are steadily becoming your comrades, new women are also approaching you one after another, I also cannot act skillfully as a princess??I’m so weak that my heart broke when my father abandoned me. I intend to endeavor so that I won’t be like that but, honestly, I don’t know whether what I’m doing right now is right or not. But see??not doing anything because of that is merely running away."
With that as the preface, Lisha looked straight at Lux.
The same like when they met the first time, she looked at him with crimson eyes that contained strong confidence.
"If you will stay by my side, then I can fight without running away. I don’t mind even if you make mistake. Just by you fighting trying to help me, it has saved me like this. Don’t get convinced by yourself that you cannot do anything just because you don’t understand."
"…………"
The hesitation dwelling inside Lux’s chest was vanishing while he was listening to Lisha’s words.
This wasn’t the time for him to break in this kind of place.
There was still thing that he had to do.
Even if in the end his action couldn’t save Celis, even if his action was mistaken, it was meaningless to hesitate in taking action just because of that.
"??Lisha-sama. Can you know the opponent’s Drag-Ride from looking at this armor fragment?"
Lux put his hand inside his pocket and presented the clue about the attacker that he obtained.
It was the fragment of Drag-Ride worn by the suspicious man who attacked Coral in the middle of the campus festival.
Then, after Lisha who was also a Drag-Ride developer took the fragment, she immediately answered.
"This is……, it’s a fragment from the shell part of the probing device installed on EX Drake’s shoulder. When the part is shaved like this, it cannot get easily repaired, so it should be possible to specify the Drag-Ride this came from if you observed closely whether they have damaged part or not."
Gorynych that the Steel Witch??Rosa Granhide controlled along with its Drag-Ride clones, and then the EX Wyrm her aide Calensia equipped.
Lux had secretly observed their Drag-Rides while fighting, but their Drag-Rides were spotless at the opening of the skill exhibition battle.
Thus this fragment couldn’t be proof that the attack to them was because of Rosa, but there was still one other possibility remaining.
How did the attacker slip through the detection of the Drakes guarding around the Academy and became able attack Celis?
The attacker visited first as ordinary visitor and observed the movement of the guards.
And then if it was EX Drake that possessed camouflage function, 'that' could be done.
(Their objective is to harm the new kingdom with official procedure at the surface. Then??their next aim will be)
When he was thinking that, a conviction was born inside Lux.
"Celis-senpai, is in danger……"
But, in preparation for the worst case, he would play a hand just in case.
The problem was whether it would make it in time or not??.
When Lux was considering that, the door of the atelier opened and Tillfur rushed inside in panic.
"Lux-chi! Lisha-sama!? You are here!?"
Lisha was surprised seeing Tillfur running out of breath while replying back.
"Oo, you came at a nice timing. From now, the owner of the Drag-Ride where this fragment came from??"
Lisha was about to say that proudly, but Tillfur’s yell drowned her words.
"Cross Field is in danger! About a hundred Abysses are suddenly gathering from the surrounding! Also no one can summon Drag-Ride other than us who are already wearing it right now!!"
"??!?"
Lux and Lisha’s expressions changed hearing Tillfur’s words.
Right after that??tremendous roaring sound and vibration could be heard from the center of the Academy.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login